High-tension switch



Aug. 30, 1927.

F. P. LAWLER HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed July 9, 1924 s sheets-sheet 2 I f Ven Zor- Frank f? ,Law/ef,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. P. LAWLER HIGH TENSION SWITCH Flled July 9 1924 Aug. 30, 1927.

Vig. 4'?

Inventor fran/f P Law/er,

Hfs' lo'rngg Patented Aug. 30, 1927..

UNITED* STA-TES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK 1. LAWLER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB T0 GENERAL ELEC- TRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

HIGH-TENSION SWITCH.

Application led July 9,

My invention relates to improvements in high tension switch mechanisms of the general type disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 1,464,368, lated August 7, 1923, reissued May is, i924, No; 15,838.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved construction oi switch, of the general type disclosed in my Letters Patent aforesaid, and adapted for use either as a bypassing or as a disconnecting switch, wherein there is but one movable contact member. Furth-er objects are to provide a compact arrangement of oy-passing and disconnecting switches, an improved arrangement for avoiding difficulties from sleet, snow or the like and an improved arrangement whereby one or more of the switch line terminals may be grounded.

My invention will be better` understood on reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and itsl scopewill be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a circuit control mechanism in which my invention has been embodied; Fig. 2 is an isometric projection showing the relation be tween the various parts of the mechanism illustrated by Fig. l; Fig, 3 is a sectional View taken on the line cL--b of Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 4, and 5 are fragmentary views illustrating certain details in a modified form of thc invention; and Figs. 6 and 7 are like views oi a further modification.

liig. 1 shows line sections 1 and 2 arranged lo be interconnected either through a h v-pass switch comprising switch line terniinalsl 2i and 4, a movable contact 5 and a yieldable connection 6, or through switch line terminals 7 and 8, lnovable contacts 9 :ind l0, yioldable connections 11 and 12, and an oil switch 13. The contacts 7, 8, 9 and 10 operate as a disconnect switch for the oil switch 13. The yieldable connections are each shown as comprising a pair of rods or bars. hinged together at a point intermediate the ends oi' the connection.

l deem the pivoted bar or grasshopper connection preferable for the by-pass switch but any suitable connection which will yield to permit relative movement ot' the fixed and movable switch elements may be used. Any vicldable connection used for the by-pass 'switch must be arranged so as to prevent a 1924. Serial No. 725,049.

reduction in the striking distance between the live parts and the frame work of the switch. For example, an ordinary exible conductor could not be used alone to connect the switch line terminal 4 to the movable contact 5, since, when the switch is in the open position, this conductor would sag so that an arc might strike across from the conductor to the frame work. Such a flexible conductor may, however, be used in connection with the grasshopper connection since it may be carried by the pivoted elements of the grasshopper connection. Flexible con` ductors may be substituted for the yieldable connections l1 and 12.

The line sections 1 and 2 are supported by dead end insulators 14 and 15 suitably secured at opposite ends of a trackway 16. Stationary insulating pillars 17 and 18 are provided to support the switch line terminaisk 3 and 4 at ,opposite ends of the trackway 16. The line terminal 3 is provided with a switch contact arranged to be engaged by the cooperating switch contact 5 which is connected to the other line terminal 4 by the grasshopper connection 6.

The movable contact 5 is mounted on an insulating pillar 19 which is supported by a carriage 20 arranged to move along the trackway 16 for the purpose of bringing the cont-act 5 into and out. of engagement with the stationary contact 3. The contact 5 is shown in a position intermediate its open and closed positions which are indicated by dotted lines to facilitate an understanding of the relation existing between the various parts of the apparatus. Grounding switches 21 and 2Q hinged at the points 23 and 24 respectively, are arranged to be rotated between the rails or guide members ot' the .trackway 16 into engagement with the stationary contact 3 and movable contact 5 when the by-pass switch is in open position. In their open positions the grounding switches .21 and 22 lie beneath the trackway 16 in a position to permit movement ofthe carriage Q() along the trackway 16. The means for effecting movement of the carringe 2O is described hereinafter in connection with Fig. '12.

The switch line terminals 7 and I8 are mounted on insulating pillars 25 and 26 sup ported at opposite ends ot a trackway Q7. The movable contact 9 is mounted on an in-` sulator 28 which is supported by a carriage 29 arranged to move along the traekway 27. The movable contact 10 is likewise mounted on an insulator 30 which is supported by a carriage 31 arranged to move along the trackway 27. As will be readily understood upon explanation of Fig. 2, the carriages 29 and 31 are arranged to be moved in opposite directions in response to rotation of the shaft 32. ln the positions of the carriages 29 and 31 illustrated by full lines in Fig. 1, the contacts 7 and 9 are in engagement, the contacts 8 and 10 are also in engagement, and the line sections 1 and 2 are connected tothe terminals of the oil switch 13. When the movable contacts 9 and 10 are in the positions indicated by the dotted lines, the switch 13 is isolated from the line sections 1 and 2.

As indicated by Fig. 2, movement of the carriage 20 is edected through a hand wheel 33, a shaft 34, cooperating gears 35 and 36,

sprocket gears 37 and 38, sprocket chains 39 and 40, and idler pulleys 41 and 42, which are arranged to cooperate with wires, or the equivalent ropes 43 and 44. The sprocket chains 39 and 40 are attached to the car 2O at points 45 and 46 respectively, and to the wires 43 and 44 at points 47 and 43. The wires 43 and 44 are attached to the car 20 at points 49 and 50 respectively. Assuming 4the gear 35 to be in engagement with the gear 36, it will be apparent that the carriage 20 may be moved in either direction manipulation ofthe hand wheel 33.

Movement ofthe carriages 29 and 31 is also eected by means of the hand wheel 33 and shaft 34 upon which is mounted a gear 51 arranged to mesh with a gear 52. rlllhe gear 52 and the sprocket gears 53 and 54 are mounted in a shaft 32. Sprocket chains 55 and 56 are arranged to cooperate with sprocket gears 53 and 54. These chains are attached to the carriage 31 at points 57 and 53 respectively and to the carriage 29 at points 59 vand 60. Wires, ropes or the equivalent, 61 and 62 are arranged to cooperate with idler pulleys 63 and G4 respectively. The wires are attached to the carriage 31 at points 65 and 66 and to the carriage 29 at their opposite ends. W ith this arrangement in mind, it will be readily understood that the cars 29 and 31 may be simultaneously moved in opposite directions by rotation of the hand wheel 33.

At its lower end, the shaft 34 is provided with a coupling which permits it to move endwise either to bring the gear 35 into engagement with the gear 3G, or to bring the gear 51 into engagement with the gear 52. This, result is accomplished through a lever 67 pivoted at 68 and attached to a sleeve 69 at 70. 'lhe sleeve 69 is fixed at its upper end to the shaft 34 and at its lower end receives a short shaft upon which is mounted newness the gear 71 and to which is fixed a -pin 72, adapted to slide to and fro in a slot 73 in the sleeve 69 when the shaft 34 is raised and lowered. rllhis arrangement acts as an interlock to prevent simultaneous operation of the carriage 20 and the carriages 29 and 31, and thus lessens the danger of mistakes in the operation of the air break by-pass and disconnect switches.

For the purpose of operating the grounding switch 22, a shaft 74, hand wheel 75, shaft 76, gears 77, shaft 78 and gears 79 are provided. l/Vith this arrangement, the switch 22 is readily moved in response to rotation of the hand wheel 75. A like arrangement is provided for operating and grounding switch 21.

The operation of the switch mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be stated briefly as follows: During normal operation the contacts 3 and 5 of the by-pass switch will be opened and the circuit between line conductors or sections l and 2 will be completed from line conductor 1, through the contacts 7 and 9 of the disconnecting switch, oil switch 13 and thence through the contacts 8 and 1() of the disconnecting switch to line conductor 2. 1f it is desired to interrupt the circuit, this will be done by opening the oil switch 1.3, which may be any suitable switch adapted to -break high tension circuits under load. When it is desired to close the line circuit, this is also done by the oil switch 13. lf it becomes desirable to work upon the oil switch for any reason and it is not desired to interrupt the circuit through the line conductors 1 and 2, the contacts 3 and 5 of the by-pass switch may be closed, thus establishing a connection from line conduc tor 1 to line conductor 2 independently of the circuit through the disconnecting and oil switches heretofore described. Since this circuit leads around the circuit through the oil switch, it constitutes a shunt or by-pass circuit. After the by-pass switch has been closed the'operator will open the oil switch 13 and then operate the disconnecting switch to disconnect the terminals of the oil switch from the line conductors by separating contacts 7 and 9 and 8 and 10. The oil switch will then be dead and any desired work may be performed on it without danger. When it is desired to put the oil switch back.- into service the disconnecting switch contacts will be closed and then the oil switch closed. after which the by-pass switch may be opened.

ln the event that it becomes necessary to work upon the line conductors 1 or or upon the mechanism of the bv-pass switch or the disconnecting switches, it is desirable to ground the line conductors 1 or 2.', or both of them, and this may be done by the grounding switches 21 and' 22. Before at tempting to work on the line conductors,

ment the by-pass yand disconnecting switch.

- mechanisms are arranged one abpve the other and in the same plane. The trackways for the respective switch mechanisms may in this way be brought close togetherv and the vertical space required is economized while at the same time noadditional horizontal space is required. While I have shown but one line circuit comprising the conductors 1 and 2, it wili be understood that several of these switchin mechanisms may be arranged side by si e' as described in my Letters Patent 1,464,368, heretofore referred to. For example, in a three-phase system three of these switching mechanisms will be used, one for eac-h line conductor. An increase in the number of switches involves no increase in the number of operating shafts required, since the same shaft may operate the corresponding switch elements in each of the switch mechanisms.

Fig. 3 shows a cover 80 for protecting the trackway '16 and the carriage 20 from accumulations of ice4 and snow which would interfere wtih their proper operation. It will be observed that this cover is slotted at its center to permitmovement of the insulator 19 and to permitrotation of the grounding switches 21 and 22 which are mounted between the rails or guide members of the trackway 16. The cover also affords some protection for the trackway 27 and carriages 29 and 31. If desired. a separate cover may be placed immediately above the trackway 27.

In Figs. 1 and 3, the trackways 16'and 27 have been shown as comprising-a pair of channel members spaced apart to receive the wheels on the carriages. This arrangement while advantageous is not essential vand may be replaced by any suitable means whereby the movable contacts of the by-pass and disconnect switches may be supported and mov-ed to effect the operation described.

Figs. 4 and show a different form of trackway and carriage. In this modification the trackwfrv consists ot' an angle member 81. Arranged to cooperate with the member 81 is a carriage comprising a framework 82, a wheel 83 adapted to roll along the top of the member 81, and rollers 84 arrang-ed to cooperate with the lower edges of thi` member 81 to maintain the carriage in an upright position. Shims 85 may be provided to adjust the framework of the carriage to fit the member 81. A scraper diagrammatically indicated at 86, attached to the framework 82, may be provided to remove snow or ice which would interfere with the operation ofthe carriage. Similar Scrapers may be provided, if necessary, for removing ice depending from the lower edges of. the' member 81. A sufficient clearance' maybe provided between thesides of the frame work 82 and the surfaces of vmember 81l so that it will be unnecessary to remove ordiimoderately high tension but where the system is to operate in the.V neighborhood of 200,000 volts the provision of an angle mem- .v ber 81 of moderate size will not provide 'aV4 sulfliciently stable mounting for the movable Y insulator, which may be more than six feet 'in height. It is obvious. however, that the angle member 81 may be replaced by a fabg ricated triangular structure comprising an angle member at the top ot the triangle and v rails at the bottom sides of the triangle. In this way, the support may be readily made of a size to give sufficient stability for-the carriage which carries the. insulator.

While I have indicated the insulator carri-cd at the top of the carriage in Figs. 4 and 5, itis apparent that the insulator may be mounted `at the bot-tom of the carriage instead of the top. as indicated in Fig. 4r.

Figs. 6 and 7 show a modified combination of carriage, carriage cover and grounding switch. In this modification the hood 87 entirely 'covers the carriage and trackway. Thel movable insulator, when supported above the car, is mounted on a framework 88 which is underhung from the carriage in a manner readily understood' upon reference to the drawing. When the movable insulator is supported below the carriage, it may be attached to a mem-ber 89 support-cd above the channel members 90 and 91 at a point near the middle of the carriage. Members 92 and 93 are attached to the under Sides of the channel members 90 and 91 at opposite ends. The grounding switch 94 los is pivoted at opposite sides of the trackway Y and in its open position rests on t-he cover 87 so as to bewithin the Framework 8811s the carriage is moved along the trackway.

It is apparent that the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may be substituted `in place of the corresponding arrangement shown* in Fig. 1, The modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5. if substituted in the b v-pass switch arrangement. of Fig. 1, would not permit operation of grounding switches arranged in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The arrangement is, however, adapted to be used without grounding switches or with vgrounding switches arranged for a less convenient and satisfactory operation. It is also adapted where the insulators areunderhung as indicated in Fig. 4.-, for use in place of the disconnecting switch carriage arrangement shown in Fi l.

The modi cation shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is claimed specifically in my copending application, Serial No. 725,058, tiled July 9, 1924, and the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is specifically claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 725,048, tiled July 9, 1924.

I have explained my invention by illus.- tra'ting and describing certain specific embodiments thereof, but it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in other forms than those shown and described.l l accordingly, do not wish 'to be restricted to the particular forms of construction disclosed herein by way of example tor the purpose of setting forth my invention in accordance with the patent statutes. rlhe terms ot the appended claims are, therefore, not restricted to the precise structure disclosed, but are intended to cover a'll changes and modifications within the true spirit and scope ot' my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States. is 1. In a mechanism for controlling a vcircuit through a power line, the combination of a trackway comprising a pair of guide members, a plurality of insulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends of said trackway and supported by sa'id insulators, a grounding switch rotatable between said members to ground one of said terminals, and means comprising a' carriage movable along said trackway for interconnecting said terminals when said grounding switch is open.

2. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through a power line, the combination of a trackway comprising a pair ot' guide members, a pluralityot' insulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends of said trackway and supported `by said insulators, means for interconnecting said terminals including a carriage movable along said trackway, an insulating pillar supported by said carriage, a movable contact mounted on said insuiator and a conductor for interconnecting said movable contactwith one of said terminals,'and a grounding switch rotatable between said members to ground vsaid movable contact when it is in open position.`

3. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through a power line, the combination, ofpa trackway comprising a pair of guide members, a plurality of insulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends of said trackway and supported by said insulators, a grounding switch pivoted between said members at one end of said trackway and arranged to ground one of said terminals, moans for interconnecting said terminals including a carriage movable along said trackway, an insulating pillar supported by said carriage, a movable contact mounted on said insulator and a conductor i'or interconnecting said movable contact with the other ot' said terminals, and a second grounding switch rotatable between said members to ground said movable contact when it is in open position. y

4. In a mechanism for controlling circuits through a power line, the combination ot' a pair of trackways, a plurality ot' insulators. 'switch line terminals located at opposite ends ot said trackways and supported by said insulators, means including carriages movable along said traclrway for interconnecting the` terminals located at their opposite ends, and means for operating said carriages said operating means being inter-locked to prevent the simultaneous movement of carriages located on different trackways.

5. In a mechanism for controlling circuits through a power line, the combination of a pair of adjacent trackways located one above the other in the Vsame plane` a plurality of insulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends ot' said trackways and supported by said insulators, means including carriages movable along said trackways tor interconnecting the terminals located at their opposite ends, and means for operating said carriages.

6. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through an electric power line. the conibination of a trackway, a plurality ot' insulators, switchgline terminals located at opposite ends of said trackway and supported by said insulators, means comprising a carriage movable along said trackway for interconnecting said terminals, and a cover supported -by said trackway for protecting said carriage and said trackway from the weather.,

7. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through an electric power line, the combination of a trackway comprising. a pair of guide membersl a plurality of insulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends of said trackway and supported by said insulators, means comprising a carriage movable along said trackway for interconnecting said terminals, a grounding switch rotatable between said members for grounding one of said terminals, and a cover for' protecting said carriage and said trackway from the weather, said coverbeing slotted to permit movement of said ground switch between its opened and closed positions.

8. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through an electric power line, the coinbination of a trackway comprising a pair of guide members, a plurality of insulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends of said trackway and supported by said insulators, a carriage movable along saidv said carriage, means including a movable contact mounted on said pillar for interconnecting said terminals, a grounding switch rotatable between said members for grounding one of said terminals and a. cover for protecting said carriage and said trackway from the weather, said cover being slotted to receive said grounding switch and to permit movement of said pillar.

9. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through an electric power line, the combination of a trackway' comprising a pair of guide members, a plurality ofpinsulators, switch line terminals located at opposite ends of's'aidtrackway and supported by said insulators, a .carriage movable along said trackway, an insulating pillar supported by said carriage, means including a movable contact mounted on said pillar for interconnecting said terminals, grounding switches rotatable between said members for grounding one of said terminals and said movable contact, and a cover for protecting said carriage and said trackway from the weather. said cover being slotted to receive said grounding switch'es and to permit movement of said pillar.

l0. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through a power line, the combination of a pair of stationary insulators, line terminals supported by said insulators one of said terminals being provided-with a switch Contact, a movable insulator arranged between said stationary insulators, a cooperating contact mounted on said movable insulator mounted in alignment with said line terminals, means lfor moving said movable insulator bodil in a straight line between said fixed insu ators to cause rectilinear engagement and disengagement of said cooperating contacts, and a yieldable connection permanently interconnecting said movable contact with the other of said terminals.

11. In a mechanism for controlling a circuit through a power line, the combination of a pair of stationary insulators,line terminals supported by said insulators one of said terminals being provided with a switch contact, a movable insulator arranged between said stationary insulators, a cooperating contact mounted on said movable insulator mounted in alignment with said line terminalsl means for moving said movable insulator bodily Ain a straight line between said kfixed insulators from a position adjacent one fixed insulator to a position adjacent the other fixed insulator to cause rectilinear engagement and disengagement of said cooperating contacts, and a yieldable connection permanently interconnecting said movable contact with the other of said terminals.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of June, 1924:.`

FRANK P. LAWLER. 

